Cherry Hill High School West

Cherry Hill High School West
Location
2101 Chapel Avenue Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Coordinates	39°55′44″N 75°01′12″W / 39.9288°N 75.020°W / 39.9288; -75.020Coordinates: 39°55′44″N 75°01′12″W / 39.9288°N 75.020°W / 39.9288; -75.020
Information
Type	Public high school
Established	1956
School district	Cherry Hill Public Schools
Principal	Joseph N. Meloche
Faculty	96.1 (on FTE basis)[1]
Grades	9 - 12
Enrollment	1,512 (as of 2008-09)[1]
Student to teacher ratio	15.7[1]
Color(s)	Purple      White
Athletics conference	Olympic Conference
Nickname	Lions
Website	School website

Cherry Hill High School West (also known as Cherry Hill West or CHW) is a four-year comprehensive public high school, one of two traditional high schools located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Cherry Hill Public Schools. The other high school in the district is Cherry Hill High School East. Cherry Hill High School West was originally known as Delaware Township High School and then Cherry Hill High School.

Cherry Hill High School West was an IB World School from September 2000 to June 2008, offering students the IB Diploma Programme.^[2]

As of the 2008-09 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,512 students and 96.1 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 15.7.^[1]

Awards and recognition

In the 2011 "Ranking America's High Schools" issue by The Washington Post, the school was ranked 68th in New Jersey and 1,990th nationwide.^[3] The school was ranked 1534th nationwide, the 54th-highest in New Jersey, in Newsweek magazine's 2010 rankings of America's Best High Schools.^[4]

The school was the 91st-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 322 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2010 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 96th in 2008 out of 316 schools.^[5] The school was ranked 126th in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.^[6]

Sports

The Cherry Hill High School West Lions participate in the Liberty Division of the Olympic Conference, which consists of public and private high schools located in Burlington County and Camden County, and operates under the supervision of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.^[7]

Cherry Hill High School West's Athletic Director is Dr. Ira Kosloff. He has been involved in athletics in the district for 40 years. Before serving as the school's Athletic Director, Kosloff was a successful head coach in Boys' Soccer and Swimming. He has also coached baseball and basketball. In 2006, Kosloff was voted Athletic Director of the Year by the Olympic Conference.

Cherry Hill High School West plays their football games at Jonas C. Morris Stadium, which they share with Cherry Hill High School East. Annually, the Lions face cross town rival Cherry Hill East Cougars on Thanksgiving morning, a rivalry described by The Philadelphia Inquirer as "one of the best in South Jersey". The winner of the contest receives the Al DiBart Memorial Trophy, also known as "The Boot." The Cherry Hill High School West Lions defeated the Cougars 13-12 in 2010 in the 42nd game played in the series between the two teams.^[8]

Many Cherry Hill High School West students play for an independent club ice hockey team affiliated with the South Jersey High School Ice Hockey League; this team is not a school-sponsored athletic group. Every Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, the "Cherry Hill West" Ice Hockey Club plays the "Cherry Hill East" Ice Hockey Club for the Golden Skate Award.

Cherry Hill High School West is the home of the 2006 New Jersey Girls State Swimming champions, which took the title with a 102-68 victory in the tournament final meet over Westfield High School.^[9][10] The boys swim team won the 2006 South Jersey Public A division title after an error made by the Cherry Hill East swim team in one of the events led the NJSIAA to overturn the initial result and hand the sectional title to Cherry Hill West.^[11]

Cherry Hill High School West is the home of the 2007 New Jersey Boys State Swim Champions. The team won the South A state sectional title with a 90-80 win over crosstown rival Cherry Hill High School East.^[12] The boys swim team moved on to win the 2007 Group A State Championship with an 89-81 win versus Westfield High School.^[13] The girls swim team won the 2007 South Jersey Public A division title over Cherry Hill East by a score of 98-72.^[14]

Cherry Hill West had one of the best bowling teams in South Jersey going 72-3-1 in the 2006-07 season, led by Coach Irv Wolf.

The 2007 boy's cross country team was conference champions for the first time in 33 years with a 6-0 record in dual-meets. Led by longtime coach Nick Mitidieri, the team also won the 2007 Disney Cross Country Classic and placed 2nd in the South Jersey Group IV Sectional meet.

Cherry Hill West's Mock Trial team won the state mock trial championship in 1986, becoming the winners of the competition to come from Camden County.^[15] The 2007-08 team was the Camden County Champions, finishing with a record of 6-0, defeating both Cherry Hill High School East and Eastern High School in the final round to claim the title. During the 2009-10 season, the team made it to the final round of the Camden County Championship again, but was defeated by Eastern High School.^{[citation needed]}

Vocal program

West is well known for its music program. The West choral program consists of audition choirs (Chansons, Concert Choir and West Singers), a combined choir of Concert Choir and West Singers known as Symphonic Choir, a freshman choir (Vocal Workshop) and three extracurricular choirs (Chamber Singers, Fermata and Men of Note). The Symphonic Choir had the honor of performing with the Haddonfield Symphony under the direction of maestro Alan Gilbert in 1994. The two groups performed Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. The vocal group West Singers has been invited to sing at many ACDA National Conventions and often have the most amount of students get into All State, All Eastern and All National Chorus.They were invited to sing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. West music program made a trip to Boston, Massachusetts on April 12–15, 2007 with all choirs receiving Superior ratings. Other recognitions include Best of High School a cappella 2006, 2007, and 2008 (Champions- Men of Note '06,'07,'08 Finals- Fermata '05) and many tracks on the Best of High School a cappella CDs. The most popular performance of the year is Broadway Night. The show is dedicated to well-known musicals, television theme songs and famous commercials. The groups are led by Christine Bass and Jim Boeckle. Famous graduates of the West Vocal Program include Aaron Lazar, who has gone on to star in the Broadway hit, Light in the Piazza and has just completed the role of Enjolras in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables.

Men of Note

• Made up of 11 men.
• The only group to win ICHSA three times in a row ('06, '07, '08)
• Member Kurt Knecht ('06 - '08) is a Semi-Finalist in the reality show for the cast of "High School Musical 4".

Accomplishments (2006)

• 2006 ICHSA International Champions - Best of High School A Cappella - Men of Note
• Best of High School A Cappella 2006 CD - West Singers
• 14 Superior Ratings - All Choirs
• 3 Perfect Scores - West Singers
• Exemplary Rating in Sight Singing - Chamber Singers
• Overall Best Choir Award - Music In the Parks - West Singers
• 2006 Cruise Festival Overall Grand Championship Award for Mixed Choir Class AAA - Combined Choirs (60 Cruise Festivals)
• 2006 Cruise Festival Overall Grand Championship Award for Madrigal Choir - Chamber Singers (60 Cruise Festivals)
• Top Number in 2005 All State Chorus (19)
• Top Number in 2006 American Choral Directors Assoc. All Eastern Chorus (12)

Accomplishments (2007)

Festivals of Music - Boston 2007 Results

• West Symphonic Choir - Superior, 1st place in Class A Mixed Chorus
• Fermata - Superior, 1st place in Women's Chorus
• Men of Note - Superior, 1st place in Men's Chorus
• Chamber Singers - Superior, 1st place in Madrigal Choir (293/300 points)
• West Singers - Superior, 1st place in Class AA Mixed Chorus (295/300 points)

With 23 choirs competing from 8 different high schools, the Cherry Hill West Choirs were the ONLY choirs to receive Superior ratings from the three judges.

Chamber Singers won the "Best Overall Choir" for all the 13 non-mixed choirs competing and West Singers won the "Best Overall Choir" for all the 10 Mixed Choirs competing.

• 2008 ICHSA International Champions - Best of High School A Cappella - Men of Note

Instrumental program

The West instrumental program is composed of Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band. They are all directed by Mr. Jim Mark.

Festivals of Music - Boston 2007 Results

• West Combined Bands - 3rd Place Excellent Rating
• West Jazz Ensemble - 2nd Place Excellent Rating
• West String Ensemble - 1st Place Excellent Rating
• Best Overall High School Orchestra

Other Accomplishments

In the Spring of 2005 in Virginia Beach the group captured 1st Place at a North American Music Festivals competition and received a Superior Rating

In 2006, Jazz Band placed 2nd at a Music In The Parks festival at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.

Cherry Hill West has also produced many musicals over the years including Hairspray (2011), The Wizard of Oz (2010), Bye Bye Birdie (2009), Oliver! (2008), Cabaret (2007), Footloose (2006), Hello, Dolly! (2005), West Side Story (2004), The Music Man (2003), The Wiz (2002), Annie (2001), Guys and Dolls (2000), Fiddler on the Roof (1999), Anything Goes (1998), Bye Bye Birdie (1997) and Oklahoma! (1996)

Marching band

The school's marching band was Tournament of Bands Chapter One Champions in 1992 (Group 2 and USSBA regional champions in 2002, Group 1 Open.^[16]

Administrators

• Joseph N. Meloche - Principal. Meloche is a graduate of Cherry Hill High School West.^[17]

Notable alumni

• Sherry Coben, creator of the 1980s situation comedy Kate & Allie.^[18]
• Eric Dezenhall, (born 1962, class of 1980), author of novels including, Money Wanders and Shakedown Beach.^[19]
• Andrea Dworkin (1946–2005), feminist author.^[20]
• Rick Folbaum (born 1969), anchor, Fox News Channel.^{[citation needed]}
• Billy Hunter (born 1942), former wide receiver in the NFL for the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins, and current executive director of the National Basketball Association players' union.^[21][22]
• Adam Jasinski (born 1978), winner, Big Brother 9.^[23]
• Ali Larter (born 1976), actress who has appeared in Heroes and on film in Legally Blonde.^[24]
• Aaron Lazar (born 1980), Broadway actor who has appeared on the stage in A Tale of Two Cities and in Les Misérables.^[25]
• Scott Safran (1967-89), holder of the world record for the highest score in the game Asteroids, the longest standing arcade game record.^[26]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Cherry Hill High School West, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 28, 2011.
2. ^ Cherry Hill High School West, International Baccalaureate Organization. Accessed August 14, 2008.
3. ^ Mathews, Jay. "The High School Challenge 2011: Cherry Hill High School West", The Washington Post. Accessed September 11, 2011.
4. ^ Staff. "America's Best High Schools: The List", Newsweek, June 13, 2010. Accessed March 28, 2011.
5. ^ Staff. "2010 Top High Schools", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2010. Accessed March 28, 2011.
6. ^ "Top New Jersey High Schools 2008: By Rank", New Jersey Monthly, September 2008, posted August 7, 2008. Accessed August 19, 2008.
7. ^ League Memberships – 2011-2012, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed September 11, 2011.
8. ^ Anastasia, Phil. "Phil Anastasia: The Boot belongs to Cherry Hill West's seniors", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 26, 2010. Accessed July 8, 2011. "Cherry Hill West beat Cherry Hill East for the fourth consecutive year in the annual battle for the Al DiBart Memorial Trophy - also known as "The Boot" - in the snow and rain on Thanksgiving Day. There's no understating the value of the 13-12 victory to the Lions, especially to the seniors who played their final game in the thick mud at Jonas C. Morris Stadium.... The rivalry is one of the best in South Jersey. These schools are connected - both their bands combine to play the national anthem, and both schools introduced their homecoming courts at halftime.... Best of all, it was a competitive, hard-hitting, scrappy, sloppy game that came down to a daring decision by Cherry Hill East coach Tom Coen and a controversial non-call in the decisive moment of the 42d renewal of the rivalry."
9. ^ Watson, Andre. "One rises above: Cherry Hill West girls are the best in Public A", Courier-Post, February 27, 2006. Accessed July 9, 2011. "But after Sunday's Public A state final between Cherry Hill West and Westfield, Sweeten made sure to be prepared for anything. Allison Rolish won the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke, and Amanda Waldner added wins in the 100 and 200 frees, as Cherry Hill West dominated from start to finish en route to a 102-68 win."
10. ^ Chodan, Melissa. "Girls swimming: Gallant Westfield falls short in state final", Courier News, February 27, 2006. Accessed July 9, 2011. "PUBLIC A CHAMPIONSHIP. CHERRY HILL WEST 102. WESTFIELD 68."
11. ^ Anastasia, Phil. "C.W. West awarded swimming title following review", Courier-Post, February 22, 2006. Accessed July 9, 2011. "The Cherry Hill West High School boys' swim team was awarded the South Jersey Public A championship Tuesday morning, a little more than 12 hours after the Lions thought they had suffered a devastating defeat to cross-town rival Cherry Hill East. The Lions were awarded the victory when Cherry Hill East acknowledged an error in its entry cards for the 50 freestyle in Monday night's sectional championship meet at Rowan University, according to NJSIAA associate director Carol Parsons."
12. ^ 2007 Boys Team Swimming - South - A, NJSIAA. Accessed July 22, 2007.
13. ^ 2007 Boys Team Swimming - Group Semis/Finals, NJSIAA. Accessed July 24, 2007.
14. ^ Staff. "C.H.West tops East for South crown", The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 1, 2007. Accessed July 9, 2011. "Cherry Hill West outswam cross-township rival Cherry Hill East, 98-72, as the Lions successfully defended their NJSIAA South Public A girls' swimming championship yesterday at Rowan University."
15. ^ Quinn, Laura. "Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Cherry Hill West Is Judged The Best In Mock Trial Competition", The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 7, 1986. Accessed September 11, 2011. "A senior at Cherry Hill High School West, Wu, 17, prosecuted the homicide case of the United States vs. Snodgrass in the High School Mock Trial Competition in Trenton.... He and his teammates from Cherry Hill West captured the state title this year, the school's first in the competition.... West's mock trial team, composed of 13 students, is the first Camden County team to win the state competition since it began four years ago. This year, the competition included 200 high schools and more than 2,100 students, said Jay A. Strassberg of the Camden County Bar Association."
16. ^ Tournament of Bands - Chapter One History, Tournament of Bands. Accessed July 5, 2007.
17. ^ West Principal's Message, accessed October 9, 2006.
18. ^ Bianculli, david. "'KATE/ALLIE' IS RENEWED, CREATOR TOLD", The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 28, 1984. Accessed December 1, 2007. "Although CBS won't announce its fall lineup until late next week, "Kate & Allie" creator Sherry Coben learned yesterday her New York-based sitcom has been picked up for 13 additional episodes. 'I'm thrilled,' said Coben, a Cherry Hill West High School graduate. 'I hope we can keep the quality up. I don't want anybody to be disappointed.'"
19. ^ Staff. "South Jersey stars as a backdrop in novel by Cherry Hill West graduate", Courier Post, November 12, 2002. Accessed March 28, 2011. "'It still smells the same', Eric Dezenhall said Monday, sitting once again in a Cherry Hill West classroom."
20. ^ Staff. "An End to Porn is Her Battle Cry", The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 17, 1985. Accessed March 28, 2011. "... Andrea Dworkin, Camden native and Cherry Hill high school alumnus, is leading an iconoclastic crusade that has split feminists and alarmed civil libertarians..."
21. ^ Staff. "No Easy Answers as lockout Looms", Philadelphia Daily News, May 7, 1998. Accessed March 28, 2011. "Hunter who grew up in Cherry Hill and attended Delaware Township High, now Cherry Hill West, played for the Delaware Township team that lost to Morrisville in the 1955 Little League World Series."
22. ^ Billy Hunter player profile, database Football. Accessed July 27, 2007.
23. ^ Darrow, Chuck. "Cherry Hill native wins 'Big Brother'", Courier Post, April 29, 2008. Accessed March 28, 2011. "Jasinski, a graduate of Cherry Hill High School West and Camden County College, works in public relations."
24. ^ Staff. "Two locals are happy to be 'Heroes'", Philadelphia Daily News, September 27, 2006. Accessed March 28, 2011. "The other, Cherry Hill West's Ali Larter, who plays stripper - and single mom - Niki Sanders, still thinks flying sounds like fun."
25. ^ Staff. "That's their boy on Broadway, Three buses full of Cherry Hill native Aaron Lazar's friends and family, many wearing T-shirts bearing his likeness, headed up to Broadway for his star turn in Phantom of the Opera.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 14, 2002. Accessed March 28, 2011. "From the day Aaron Lazar stepped on the stage in high school, people predicted Broadway in his future. All through his leading roles, as Tony in West Side Story and Harold Hill in The Music Man at Cherry Hill High School West, his parents kept hearing their son was meant for the stage."
26. ^ Staff. "After 20 years, master gamester finally honored", The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 28, 2002. Accessed March 28, 2011. "Upon graduating from Cherry Hill High School West, Safran moved to California to attend Pierce Community College."

External links

	Philadelphia portal
	New Jersey portal
	Schools portal

• Cherry Hill High School West Official web site
• Cherry Hill Public Schools's 2009–10 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
• Data for the Cherry Hill Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• South Jersey Sports: Cherry Hill West HS